Easy Potato Curry

An easy and tasty potato curry with simple spices and a turmeric onion sauce.

This one-pot spicy potato curry is super easy to make --  you can pull it off in under 30 minutes using only pantry ingredients. Serve it with a khichdi, pulao or with a flatbread like roti or naan for a quick, delicious meal. Vegan, gluten-free, soy-free and nut-free.

Here's a totally delicious and exquisitely simple Potato Curry that goes perfectly with plain basmati rice or rice dishes like a khichdi.

If you are someone who likes Indian food but finds it daunting to cook, it is good to dip your toe with recipes like this simple potato curry. It is foolproof, requires a minimum of ingredients, and you'll be so happy with yourself for cooking up the perfect meal, you might actually want to cook Indian food every day for the rest of your life.

There is so much going on in this simple recipe: it's not only quick and easy, but it packs a walloping flavor punch. It's also very nutritiousThis Potato Curry really delivers, flavor-wise, health-wise, and ease-of-making-it-wise. The aroma as it cooks will waft around your kitchen and house, bringing everyone running to the table. And it all happens in under 30 minutes, so let's get started.

Ingredients for Potato Curry

• Potatoes. Use a gold or red potato for this. Russet potatoes will work at a pinch, but russets are not ideal in curries because they break down too easily and get very floury, changing the texture of the curry.
• Onions: Red, yellow, any kind works. Use shallots if possible.
• Vegetable oil. Coconut oil is fine here, as is peanut or avocado oil.
• Cumin seeds. For deep, earthy fragrance.
• Mustard seeds: For a pop of pungent flavor.
• Curry leaves: These complement the south Indian flavors in this recipe.
• Ginger: For freshness and a zing of flavor.
• Garlic
• Turmeric powder. For color and health.
• Garam masala. Use a good homemade blend like the one I linked here, or a trusted store brand.
• Cayenne pepper or any red chili powder like paprika. For a fresh flavor use a green chilli instead, like a jalapeno or serrano pepper. Mince and add the chili peppers along with the herbs--the curry leaves, ginger and garlic.
• Cilantro (optional)

How to make the Potato Curry

• Start out by cutting 5 medium gold or red potatoes into a fairly small dice-- no bigger than half an inch. Crush a ½-inch piece of ginger and 3 cloves of garlic along with 1 teaspoon of cumin into a coarse paste with a mortar and pestle or in a food processor.
• Heat the oil in a pan over medium high heat on the stovetop. Add the mustard seeds and when they start to sputter, add the onions and saute until translucent.
• Add the curry leaves along with the crushed cumin, ginger and garlic. Saute for a few seconds.
• Add the potatoes with the turmeric, garam masala and cayenne. Give it all a good stir, add two cups of water, and bring the curry to a boil.
• Cover the saucepan with a lid and let the curry simmer 10-15 minutes until the potatoes are tender. If you want your curry to thicken a bit, you can crush some of the potatoes with a ladle.
• Add salt to the aloo curry and garnish, if you wish, with cilantro. You can also add a squeeze of lemon for more flavor. Serve hot.

What to serve with the Potato Curry:

• This potato curry is especially delightful with the simple Instant Pot Khichdi, because its spiciness perfectly complements the rather plain khichdi. You can also serve it with plain white or brown basmati rice.
• Or serve it with a simple pulao, like this Eggplant Pulao,
• The curry also is great scooped up with an Indian flatbread, like a roti, naan, paratha or poori.

Storage tips

This potato curry will keep nicely in the fridge for up to four days. For longer storage, place in an airtight container in the freezer for up to three months. Thaw and reheat before serving.

Related recipes

• Masala Khichdi
• Easy Mung Sprouts Khichdi with Butternut Squash
• Instant Pot Khichdi with Mung Bean Sprouts
• Vegan Baked One Pot Chickpea Curry with Cauliflower and Potatoes
• South Indian Vegetable Curry
• Vegan Mango Curry
• Creamy Peas Potato Curry

• Learn how to make a Basic Tomato Onion Sauce for quick Indian curries in an Instant Pot.